Bruins Coach Jim Montgomery Absolutely Loses it on Captain Brad Marchand Over Critical Turnover

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Chris Gerics
October 20, 2024 (2:07 PM)

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Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand caught an earful from head coach Jim Montgomery after a costly turnover which led to a Utah HC goal immediately after.

The Boston Bruins have been one of the most dominant teams in the past several years in the NHL however hasn't been able to lift the Stanley Cup since 2010-2011 and often find themselves right on the cusp of getting the win but fall short, coming closest in 2018-2019 where they made the Finals but lost to the Craig Berube-led St. Louis Blues. One of the key factors of Boston's success is pesky winger Brad Marchand, who backs up his juvenile antics with blistering scoring ability and is still extremely efficient even in his older years.

So it was almost refreshing to see head coach Jim Montgomery lay into Marchand after a costly turnover led to a Utah HC goal. The coach had no issues walking up to Marchand and giving him a nudge and some extra motivation.

Marchand is normally known for being the one screaming at players, officials, coaches, and fans but this time it was his turn to sit down and listen. For all of his skill and accomplishments, trying to be too cute or not being focused and letting your team down because of it is not how Marchand needs to play; he's better than that. Luckily for Marchand and the Bruins, the goal was overturned due to an offside call, however, it's a lesson learned for Marchand not to act irresponsibly no matter the situation.

A free agent at the end of this season, Marchand, 36, has put together a fantastic NHL career, with 401 goals and 532 assists in 1035 games in his 16th season with the Bruins. Winning a Stanley Cup in 2011 with Boston, he is also a four-time All-Star, ranks tenth all-time in active players for goals scored, and from 2016-2021 Marchand found himself as a perennial MVP candidate as well. One of Boston's best in the last decade, he currently ranks fifth all-time for the Bruins in games played, fifth in goals, seventh in assists, fifth in points, first in shorthanded goals, and will no doubt go down as one of the greatest Boston Bruins players to ever do it.

Even though he's 36 years old, Marchand is still vulnerable to criticism, especially from his coach, and no amount of experience or franchise records can make up for silly mistakes, because those are the ones that cost you the game and sometimes it will be how you're remembered.